Paving for Evans Rd., Hwy 1 and 97 announced

“It’s an exciting day for Fraser Nicola,” said MLA Jackie Tegart in announcing two major paving projects in Ashcroft and Cache Creek last week.

In Ashcroft, Evans Rd. will be paved from the highway past Ashcroft Terminal, while in Cache Creek, Hwy 1 will be paved from south of Cache Creek to Hwy 97 at the Bonaparte River Bridge.

Beginning with the paving season next Spring, 28 km of roads will be resurfaced.

She thanked the lobbying efforts of Ashcroft Mayor Andy Anderson and Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta, saying the projects in both communities would link the road and rail network and “provide a smoother and safer ride for everyone.”

“I think MLA Tegart is the lobbyist,” said Anderson, who added that it’s taken 10 years to get to this point. He also acknowledged Transportation Minister Todd Stone because “Everything that he’s said he’ll do his best to do, he’s done.”

The Village of Ashcroft has gone full circle, he said, back to being the hub of transportation which it was in the 1800s.

Ranta echoed Tegart’s comments: “Obviously it’s a great day for the local area,” he said. “We’ve all grown to know over the years that what’s good for Ashcroft is good for Cache Creek and vice versa. Our economies are entwined.”

“In Cache Creek we see the highway as the welcome mat of our community,” said Ranta. “When it’s torn and tattered, it doesn’t create the best impression of our community. Now the welcome mat is being refurbished.”

Kleo Landucci, vice president of Projects and Development at AT, and her father Bob Landucci, AT president and CEO were also in attendance at the Nov. 13 announcement.

“On behalf of Ashcroft Terminal, we’re so grateful,” she said in a brief statement.

Ashcroft Terminal has been pushing for road improvement out to their facilities on Evans Rd. as part of the ever expanding inland port.

The Village of Ashcroft and AT are partnering with the ministry by providing the ministry with gravel from the nearby supply at Ashcroft Terminal. The project will be tendered in early 2015, and work will be completed during the 2015 paving season.